Blizzard has taken the wraps off the newest Diablo III class, and it's one that should please fans of the martial arts: the fast-fisted, staff-swinging Monk.

Blizzard revealed the newest playable class for Diablo III during the opening ceremony of BlizzCon '09, and he's a real fistful. The Monk is a martial artist in the vein of the classic kung fu fighter. Dressed in Shaolin robes with a big-time beard and looking like a character straight out of Dynasty Warriors, The Monk uses serious close quarters combat to take down its foes.

The class made its debut in a trailer that found The Monk being led into a trap - a town full of some undead baddies which it promptly defeated using some crazy fast strikes, staff swings and some energy blasts. Making his way out of the town, The Monk encountered the mysterious figure who led him into the trap. Obviously the guy was up to no good. Obviously he was a demon who can shoot fireballs. A DragonBall Z esque fight followed, with all sorts of airborne chopsocky and over-the-top action.

Next Blizzard rolled a gameplay trailer showing some of the Monk's skills: a teleportation move (the "Seven-Sided Strike") where the Monk moves between enemies so quick he only leaves shilouettes behind him, all sorts of chi energy (I'm guessing) moves where he can create explosions that take out tons of enemies with area of effect damage. There's tons of blood, there's classic martial arts style combat. If you haven't figured it out by now, this is probably the class Assassin players from Diablo II will want to use.

The Monk's playable on the show floor, and though Funk and I have already gotten some playtime in sans The Monk, you can bet we'll be heading back for some more action.

They have a few more slots for classes...But I want a different(better) Druid that doesn't make me spam Dire Wolf and Werewolf over and over in game breaking glory.But I actually want Necromancer more.

oliveira8:Wow..that trailer was really cheesy. Couldn't they make an awesome CGI(or whatever) trailer so it looked really cool? Their game engine isn't that cool to make those fights look epic and awesome.

Also shouldn't this be in the news section?

I'm thinking the video was rushed in order to get it ready in time for Blizzcon.

oliveira8:Wow..that trailer was really cheesy. Couldn't they make an awesome CGI(or whatever) trailer so it looked really cool? Their game engine isn't that cool to make those fights look epic and awesome.

Also shouldn't this be in the news section?

I think it looks a lot better than the WoW trailers which do the same thing, at least.

oliveira8:Wow..that trailer was really cheesy. Couldn't they make an awesome CGI(or whatever) trailer so it looked really cool? Their game engine isn't that cool to make those fights look epic and awesome.

Also shouldn't this be in the news section?

I think it looks a lot better than the WoW trailers which do the same thing, at least.

Those WoW trailers(The ones made in game) aren't that good, but they put more work into them than this one, the WoW ones look much more polished.

oliveira8:Wow..that trailer was really cheesy. Couldn't they make an awesome CGI(or whatever) trailer so it looked really cool? Their game engine isn't that cool to make those fights look epic and awesome.

They have a few more slots for classes...But I want a different(better) Druid that doesn't make me spam Dire Wolf and Werewolf over and over in game breaking glory.But I actually want Necromancer more.

They already revealed four classes, just how many there are anyway? We have two close-combat, a mage and a summoner. The game still needs a ranger and a support class at least. Now that's already six, so the bets are off. What will be the other summoner class, if any? I want a Druid.

I do reckon we need a ranged non-magic class still. Barbarian is definatly the tank/AoE fighter, Monk is the Melee DPS, Witch Doctor is the Debuff/Summoner, Wizard is the ...Wizard?

Given that their theme so far seems to be "TO THE EXTREME!*smashes bottle on crotch*" I can only wonder what the final class will be, if there IS another class. I mean, we've seen amazons and rogues already, whats left?

We still don't know about 5th, or maybe even 6th or 7th class they might show...

I think I am pretty safe in my early assessment, it's doubtful a stealth/melee/assassin class would be announced after this. If not I will graciously accept my comeuppance and burst some hearts with the Monk.

IGN: You did mention that it's being revealed next year, and that it's someone from the previous games...

Jay Wilson: I did say that. I probably shouldn't have said that, because we're not sure that's going to be the case. It's just logical, that's what we tend to do. But it may or may not. I'm not gonna answer it, anyway... [laughs]

Best money is on the Rogue/Amazon.But you never know. They may throw class mechanics to the wind and bow to public support and bring back the Necro. If they bring the druid back he'll be more shapeshifting and less summoning. Those 4 seem the most logical to me at least.

I would say the number 1 most likely is the Rogue.2: Amazon3: Druid4: Necro

i think druid was sort of taken by WD. this is sad cause dru' > WD anyday.monk (looks like what WoW had been asking for as a class for a long long time) would have taken the Ass/Pally role, maybe the 'Zon too.not much is left really.

my money is that #5 is necro' but i'd rather dru'. gotta love the WW+bear combo, specially with that crazy ass attack the WW had that attacked like, 5 times in one.